GROWING PEAS AT ELLESMERE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2667, 26 April 1905, Page 21

GROWING PEAS AT ELLESMERE.

SOME PRACTICAL HINTS FROM A CANTERBURY GROWER.

We have much pleasure in giving space to the following interesting letter: — Sir, — Under the heading of "Notes on Rural* Topics," by "Agricola," appears an article on peas, stating that in the Ellesaaere district farmers do not take the trouble

to harvest peas, but turn in the pUs. As I am a farmer in the Ellesmere district and occasionally grow peas I wish to contradict the statement that the peas are not harvested, but the pigs arc turned into them. A large area of peas, is annually grown round here, and a very profitable crop they are, besides preparing the land for a wheat crop, and invariably a good crop results. . The chief variety grown is Partridge, which has tho advantage of being a splendid cropper and less liable to shell out in hot weather than the other varieties. Another very good pea which is coming into favour is Sangster's White Ivory, which is also a very good cropper, does not grow too long straw, and generally commands a good price. I sold mine this season in March at 4-s per bushel net. As to growing tb<^ garden peas under the contract system — that is, a merchant supplies you with seed and guarantees a certain price when harvested, — I tried them myeelf last season on nine acres, but they turned out a failure, so I intend keeping to varieties I have tried, such as Partridge or White Ivories. The harvesting is a simple matter. Any ordinary side delivery will do, but it. is necessary to attach "pea fingers," co that all the peas are gathered. The ordinary fingers are taken off, and the pea fingers attached to every other one, and a capital job they make. The peas are -then left in heaps and carted into the stack. Where the climate is inclined to be windy the safest plan is to only cut sufficient peas, so that they can be put into the stack the same day as they are cut. but they must bo thoroughly ripe. Partridge peas yield from 40 to 70 bushels per acre, and sell at 3s per bushel ; White Ivories from 30 to 60 bushels, and fetch about 4-s per bushel. As to the demand, I think there is a very good one. I have found it very often easier to sell peas than wheat. The quantity to- sow per acre is from 2^ to 4 bushels. This ypav I intend sowinc; bushels Partridge per acre — 2 bushels drilled lengthways, and 2 across, as when sown thick they keep down the weeds and' also prevent the peas from lying down. Any ordinary grain drill will do. Trusting these few remarks will not be out of place, — I am, etc.,

Jas. F. Mitchell,

Ellesmere. April 21.